I don't want to repay my signing bonus after I quit

[B L I S S]

" You will receive a one-time bonus of XX,XXX. If you voluntarily end your employment within 12 months of your start date you are required to pay the full gross amount of the bonus on your last day of employment."

This is a trimmed version of what my contract says. I'm trying to determine if "voluntarily end your employment means" the day you give notice or your last day of work. How do you read it?

Assume I started on Jan 15, 2019. I don't want to work a second past the day I have to for mental health reasons. If I can give ~2 week notice on Jan 2nd instead of Jan 16th and avoid repaying that would be ideal. You think that's possible the way it's written?

[cangelosibrown]

I am not a lawyer... but I sure wouldn't risk it. If it were me and I really hated it that much I would announce I as leaving Jan. 16th, and give no notice, announcing Jan 16th as my last day. But so much of this depends on what the other policies are for this company.

[cangelosibrown]

Or depending on your industry, give 2 weeks notice on Jan 16th, but tell them (truthfully or not), that you've taken a job with a competitor. They may make you leave immediately.

[JLee]

I would err on the side of caution and either check with an attorney or give notice on day 366.

[secondcor521]

I think my concern would be that in some companies, if you give your two week notice on January 2nd, they can ask you to leave immediately on January 2nd.  Possibly with the remaining two weeks of salary.

However, if that happened, I could see them winning the argument that you voluntarily left before 12 months was up, so you would be on the hook for repaying the signing bonus.

For a five digit bonus, I'd tough it out.

You could consider the alternative of becoming a very poor employee and try to get them to fire you.  Since that would arguably be involuntary, you could keep the signing bonus and maybe even collect unemployment.  May not be good for your job prospects in the future, though.

[LifeHappens]

I would err on the side of caution and either check with an attorney or give notice on day 366.

This.

[MilesTeg]

" You will receive a one-time bonus of XX,XXX. If you voluntarily end your employment within 12 months of your start date you are required to pay the full gross amount of the bonus on your last day of employment."

This is a trimmed version of what my contract says. I'm trying to determine if "voluntarily end your employment means" the day you give notice or your last day of work. How do you read it?

Assume I started on Jan 15, 2019. I don't want to work a second past the day I have to for mental health reasons. If I can give ~2 week notice on Jan 2nd instead of Jan 16th and avoid repaying that would be ideal. You think that's possible the way it's written?

Suck it up for three weeks and/or take PTO for most of that time. Seriously, unless you are being sexually harassed, dealing with abusive management or forced to commit crimes or other such things, there's absolutely nothing about any job that is so terrible for mental health you can't stick it out for that time period. If you ARE being sexually harassed or otherwise abused, that's a clear case to take to HR.

[John Galt incarnate!]

" You will receive a one-time bonus of XX,XXX. If you voluntarily end your employment within 12 months of your start date you are required to pay the full gross amount of the bonus on your last day of employment."

This is a trimmed version of what my contract says. I'm trying to determine if "voluntarily end your employment means" the day you give notice or your last day of work. How do you read it?

Assume I started on Jan 15, 2019. I don't want to work a second past the day I have to for mental health reasons. If I can give ~2 week notice on Jan 2nd instead of Jan 16th and avoid repaying that would be ideal. You think that's possible the way it's written?

I construe  "your last day of employment" to mean the last day you are at work doing your job.

[undercover]

I would give my notice on the 16th and not a day earlier personally. Use all the sick and PTO days you can in the meantime.

If your work culture is truly that bad, it’s not like you have to make it the full two weeks if you can’t.

[RedmondStash]

You could always quit on day 366 instead of giving 2 weeks' notice. You're not under legal obligation to give notice; it's a business courtesy. But that could bring its own consequences.

I suspect that the contract refers to your last day of employment, not to the day you give notice -- but a nasty employer might fire you the day you give notice, and claim you quit voluntarily. So, yeah, if you want to be on the safe side, let them know you're leaving on day 366.

[bacchi]

+1 to turning in the notice on day 366.

Give a 2 week notice but short-time it. Show up late and then take off early to make up for it. Run errands and walk your dog during lunch.

[Chris Pascale]

Congratulations on how close you are.

While taking your time off, check out the show "Better Call Saul" (season 2) to see how he managed to keep his sign on bonus, and leave the job.

[B L I S S]

All good advice

How many of you have quit with less than two weeks notice and faced any repercussions? Or know of anyone who did? They say don't burn Bridges.. who has actually been hurt by this? I'm curious

[cangelosibrown]

All good advice

How many of you have quit with less than two weeks notice and faced any repercussions? Or know of anyone who did? They say don't burn Bridges.. who has actually been hurt by this? I'm curious

No personal experience, but have heard of people doing it. My company, and I think this is common for large companies, will not do anything other than confirm your dates of employment to any future employers. Both the company, and the employees of the company are forbidden from saying anything other than that.  So other than the people who saw you do it, no one would (theoretically) ever find out.

But obviously, people are people, and if you piss off the wrong person by doing it, then that could be bad for you. Depends so much on how small your work-world is though.

[bacchi]

How many of you have quit with less than two weeks notice and faced any repercussions? Or know of anyone who did? They say don't burn Bridges.. who has actually been hurt by this? I'm curious

I've done it twice (maybe more?) in my adult career.

The first time, it was obvious I needed the time off; I was a wreck. A colleague of my then-manager did offer me a job later, at another company, but he asked what happened.

In another case, my bucket of shit filled up and I walked. That was glorious.

It probably did hurt my job chances as those co-workers spread out but it was manageable. Unless you're in a small market or a niche field, it's not as scary as others make it out to be.

[Chris Pascale]

All good advice

How many of you have quit with less than two weeks notice and faced any repercussions? Or know of anyone who did? They say don't burn Bridges.. who has actually been hurt by this? I'm curious

I once left a job with less notice, and they thanked me for caring that it was shorter than 2 weeks.

A year later I gave that boss a call to say hi, and she was happy to hear from me. I've visited her since, and it's also been nice.

[Maenad]

You could always get your passdown prepped and when you give notice say "I know the usual notice period is 2 weeks, but I could get my work passed down to others in as little as 3 days. What would work best for you?" and see what they say. Sometimes they'll want you gone as quickly as possible so you don't hurt morale (not entirely sure how you would, but that's the way some people think). Or they know that the sooner you're out, the sooner they can work on backfilling your position, so a shorter period works better all the way around.

[Sibley]

All good advice

How many of you have quit with less than two weeks notice and faced any repercussions? Or know of anyone who did? They say don't burn Bridges.. who has actually been hurt by this? I'm curious

Highly dependent on your future plans, industry, etc. In my line of work and location, it's a fairly small group of people. Word travels. You burn the bridge at company A, and that has very possibly hurt you at companies B-F.

[Goldielocks]

All good advice

How many of you have quit with less than two weeks notice and faced any repercussions? Or know of anyone who did? They say don't burn Bridges.. who has actually been hurt by this? I'm curious

I wouldn't say it is the two week short notice that is a problem.  Just make up a reasonable excuse -- 2 weeks but you need to help your mom with medical appointments right now, so, sorry!  That sort of thing.

I think it would be quitting at day 366 after receiving a 5 digit sign on bonus that would leave the bad taste.   Obviously acceptable by contract, but might reflect on your reference and how you are remembered.   Positions with that size of sign on bonus often really need people, pull in people from other cities to fill positions, and the position is otherwise hard to train / refill.

[rosarugosa]

Are you in the US, and if so are you covered by the FMLA?  If you are under a lot of work-related stress it might be worthwhile to see if a physician can put you on medical leave either PT or FT  -- it might be unpaid, but if it keeps you employed through your 1  year date not having to pay back the bonus should help ease the financial burden.

I believe you need to be employed for more than a year to be FMLA eligible.

[NorthernBlitz]

Do you have a plan for what comes next?

If possible, use the time you have before leaving to polish up that resume and see if you can have something that you're leaving to.

Hope it turns out well for you.

[TomTX]

Just chiming in:

Burn all of your PTO.

Wait it out and suck it up.

[ExitViaTheCashRamp]

Perhaps a change in perspective might help ? Work out how many working days you have left to complete the required notice after X date, then divide the signing bonus by that number. Each time you have more crap thrown at you think of the 1/X the of the bonus you are earning by hanging in there.

[B L I S S]

Perhaps a change in perspective might help ? Work out how many working days you have left to complete the required notice after X date, then divide the signing bonus by that number. Each time you have more crap thrown at you think of the 1/X the of the bonus you are earning by hanging in there.

I like this idea. Perzpective is everything

I am hoping to have an offer in hand soon assuming final round interview goes well. want to get in a break between the end of the current position and the start of the next hence giving less than 2 weeks notice

[nick663]

All good advice

How many of you have quit with less than two weeks notice and faced any repercussions? Or know of anyone who did? They say don't burn Bridges.. who has actually been hurt by this? I'm curious

At a previous company you were not eligible for rehire if you gave less than 2 weeks.

It really depends on the situation though.  If you're completely changing industries it may not matter much but staying in the same one... the world is incredibly small and those 2 weeks could cost you a job opportunity down the line.  I personally wouldn't risk it.

Just chiming in:

Burn all of your PTO.

Wait it out and suck it up.

Just keep in mind that vacation days are earned and you will pay that back in your final paycheck.

[TomTX]

Just chiming in:

Burn all of your PTO.

Wait it out and suck it up.

Just keep in mind that vacation days are earned and you will pay that back in your final paycheck.

That really depends on the company and the PTO setup. With my employer (for example) - I could burn 100% of PTO and not pay back anything.

[Villanelle]

I think my concern would be that in some companies, if you give your two week notice on January 2nd, they can ask you to leave immediately on January 2nd.  Possibly with the remaining two weeks of salary.

However, if that happened, I could see them winning the argument that you voluntarily left before 12 months was up, so you would be on the hook for repaying the signing bonus.

For a five digit bonus, I'd tough it out.

You could consider the alternative of becoming a very poor employee and try to get them to fire you.  Since that would arguably be involuntary, you could keep the signing bonus and maybe even collect unemployment.  May not be good for your job prospects in the future, though.

But if they ask you to leave earlier then it isn't you (or the OP) making the decision.  It sounds like the bonus is only repayable if the OP quits, not if s/he is told to leave, so I would think that legally she'd be in the clear in that situation.  But I am not a lawyer or a legal expert in any way. 

[Padonak]

All good advice

How many of you have quit with less than two weeks notice and faced any repercussions? Or know of anyone who did? They say don't burn Bridges.. who has actually been hurt by this? I'm curious

I gave my two week notice and was let go within the next few days. They didn't pay me for the entire two weeks either. Looking back, I should have called in sick, then given a 5 minute notice. Fuck em.

[B L I S S]

I could ask HR how exactly "voluntarily end your employment" is defined - is that a bad move to make?

[DaMa]

I'm agreeing with everyone else.  Do absolutely nothing until 1/16.  I wouldn't even ask HR questions. 

You could have some kind of meltdown on 1/16, say "I quit", and leave in a tizzy.  A few weeks later, call up and apologize, say you had a breakdown due to personal stuff, are in therapy, etc..  Thank them for all the good times.  They'll be happy they don't have to carry you while you're out on extended medical leave.  They'll be seriously afraid to say anything negative to referrals (HIPAA, ADA, etc.).  Years later you can get hired again.

Been there, seen that.

[Zamboni]

+1 to turning in the notice on day 366.

Give a 2 week notice but short-time it. Show up late and then take off early to make up for it. Run errands and walk your dog during lunch.

This . . .and you will probably come down with a cold or two anyway during those last two weeks to mix in with your needed mental health days. It is January, after all. Lots of nasty viruses going around! If you are that miserable, then your suppressed immune system will cause you to be especially susceptible to every germ. I'd be surprised if you make it in for more than 2-3 days in each of those last two weeks.

[B L I S S]

This . . .and you will probably come down with a cold or two anyway during those last two weeks to mix in with your needed mental health days. It is January, after all. Lots of nasty viruses going around! If you are that miserable, then your suppressed immune system will cause you to be especially susceptible to every germ. I'd be surprised if you make it in for more than 2-3 days in each of those last two weeks.

haha...Seems like I know what i need to do. Probably already knew it..just needed to hear it.

[Zamboni]

Good move.

Give your two weeks notice on Jan 16th, and not a peep about it to anyone before then.

If anyone expects you to be super duper productive during that last half of January, or especially if anyone at work gives you any sort of hard time, then malingering is the right call. Lots of good movies on Netflix or Prime right now to watch while you recover from that nasty virus!